Rail-scraper and snow-plow



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet' 1. E. -B. DURPEE.

RAIL SGRAPER AND SNOW PLOW.

No. 353,738. Patented Dec. '7, 1886.

Inventory N. PETERS Photo-mho n hu. Washinglon. n. c.

(No Model.) 2 SheetsSh'eet 2.

B. B. DURPEE.

RA IL SGRAPER AND SNOW PLOW. No. 353,738. Patented Dec. 7,1886.

pit??? 3313 GHQ 014% W if J. MM

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELISHA B. DURFEE, OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.

RAIL=SCRAPER AND SNOW-PLOW.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 353,738, dated December7, 1886.

Application tlled April 10, 1886.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELISHA B. DURFEE, a citizen of'the United States ofAmerica, residing at Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster, in the Stateof Nebraska, have invented a new and useful Rail scraper and Snow-Plow,of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in rail-scrapers andsnow-plows for use on railways and tram ways; and the objects are,first, to provide a device of the kind named which will clear the railsfrom snow, slush, andotherobstructions accumulated thereon at a lessexpenditure of power than is required by the devices ormachinesheretofore known and in use; and, second, to provide a rail-scraper orsnow plow which will also operate as a brake. and thus dispense withtheusual car-brake. These objects I attain by the mechanism illustratedin the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a side view of myinvention attached to a car in operative position. Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the upper and stationary wheel-case. Fig. 3 is aperspective view of the lower and adjustable wheel-case. Fig.

4 is a side view of the plow-point or railscraper, shown on a largerscale than in the other figures. Fig. 5 is aside view of the severalparts united. Fig. 6 is a top view of the plow-point 01' rail-scraper.Fig. 7 is a side view of a sectional case and scraper applied to a car.Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a sectional stationary wheel-case. Fig.9 is a side view of a sectional scraper, showing the upper and lowerwheel-case united and the point attached. Fig. 10 is a perspective viewof a sectional adjustable wheel-case; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view,showing in detail the mechanism for adjusting the lower wheel-case, theends of the operating-rod being broken off.

In the drawings, similar notations refer to the same parts, andreference being had thereto, the letter A designates the upper andstationary wheel-case, consisting of two substantial metal plates havingtheir ends united by means of bolts or other proper detachablefastenings, substantially as seen at 1, said plates being shaped so thatwhen united they shall surround the car-wheel. For the purpose ofatfording space for the axle and axle-box of the car, the plates are cutaway, as seen at 2 3; and in order that the case may be readily fixed tothe timbers of the case, the upper edges are flanged, as seen at 4, theflanges being provided with bolt-holes to take the fastening means. Inthe inner wall of the stationary wheel-case is formed an opening orbearing, :10, to receive the journal of the means for raising theadjustable case, as will be hereinafter more fully stated. In each wallof the stationary wheel-case is cut a slot, y, vertically arrangedtotake the lugs or bolts projected from the outside of the adjustablewheelcase.

The letter B designates the lower and adj ustable wheel-case. Thisconsists of two substantial metal plates secured together firmly, butdetaehably, by any proper means, and in crosssection is the sameconfiguration as the upper case, but is made smaller, so as to fitwithin the upper case and slide up and down therein. The junction or lapof these plates is preferably in the middle of the sides, in order thatthe ends may be clear to receive the plowpoint or scraper and have itsecured thereto. The ends of this adjustable casing may be cut away, asseen at 5, to receive the plow, and from the sides are projected lugs orbolts 6, which set within the slots g of the upper case and hold thelower case from tilting, and also serve as guides in its movements up ordown. To the side of this lower case is fixed a rackbar, I), which isengaged by the gearing having its bearing in the case, and by means ofwhich the lower case is adjusted.

The letter O designates the plow-point or scraper, formed with a shankto set in the end of the lower case, and is secured therein by bolts orother means. The projecting part or point 7 of the plow is shaped toenter under any substance in front of the wheel and cast it aside. Tothe rear of the plow-point or scraper O is fixed the flange-scraper G,to clear or scrape the flange of the rail in front of the flange of thecar-wheel free from ice or snow or other obstruction.

The letter a designates the crank-bar set in the end of the car andprovided with a gear 011 its lower end, which meshes withagear on thebar A, journaled under the car, as seen at a. This bar a is providedwith a screw or ICO gear, 8, which meshes with a gear, 9, on a I do notclaim as new, except as in combination with my invention, this mechanismfor operating the lower case, but simply adopt it as a means foreffecting the adjustment of the .lower case.

The mechanism for raising or IOWBIlIlgiZhQ deep, and to lessen thedanger to any living object falling in front of the wheel by throwing itoff the rail.

The plates forming the wheel-cases are de tachably secured together topermit them to be attached and detached without raising the car from therail. The plow or scraper is not specially intended to throw theaccumulations permanently from the rail, but rather to clear the path ofthe wheel.

v The wheel-case B, with the plow or scraper united thereto, can beraised and lowered at will, and may be pressed on the rail,and serve inthis position instead of the ordinary brake. If the ordinary brake isused, the ends of the wheel-case must be provided with openings to takethe brakeshoe. I In Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, of the drawings I haveshown my invention as sectional and of such form as is particularlyapplicable to cars which are turned about and always run with the sameend forward. The device in tion the cases may be formed of one platebent in shape,substantially as seen in the drawings.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the fixed wheel-case A and the wheel-case B,detachably and adjustably connected to the wheel-case A, substantiallyas described.

2. The combination of the fixed case A and i the wheel-case B,detachably and adjustably secured to the wheel case A, and aflangescraper, O, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the fixed wheel-case A, the wheel-case B,detachably and adjustably secured to the wheel case A, the scraper O,and flangescrapertl, substantially as described.

4. The combination of the Wheelcase A, fixed to the body of the car, andprovided with gear 9, the wheel-case B, adj ustably-set about thewheel-case, A, and provided with rack-bar b, the plow or scraper G onthe end of the case B, and provided with a flange-scraper, O, and meansfor revolving the said gear and raising and lowering the case B,substantially as described.

. ELISHA B. DURFEE. Witnesses:

C. L. TREVITT, J. W. DEWEESE.

